FAQs About Redistricting

Does the advisory committee draw the lines for state legislative and
congressional districts?
No. This is done separately by the Virginia General Assembly, as
directed by the state constitution.

Is there a limit on how few or how many Board of Supervisor districts
we can have?
Yes. State law says that counties with our form of government may have
as few as six members (one elected at-large chairman and five elected by
district) or up to 12 members (one elected at-large chairman and 11
elected by district.)

Is there a specific number for how many people should be represented
per district?
No. State and federal law requires the population among districts must
be as equal as possible, but the population per district will be
determined by how many electoral districts are drawn. For example, a plan
with five districts (plus an elected at-large chairman) would have a much
greater population per district than one with 11 districts (plus an
elected at-large chairman).

What happens if board members no longer live within the new electoral
districts?
Redistricting will affect the election districts for many county boards,
authorities and commissions, including the Board of Supervisors and
School Board. If as a result of redistricting board members no longer
live in the district they were elected to represent, they will continue
in office until they’re term expires. At the end of the term, a new
member will be elected from the new district.

Does redistricting affect school boundaries or police, fire and human
service districts?
No. These boundaries are unrelated to the electoral districts for the
Board of Supervisors, and the redistricting will have no affect on school
boundaries or police, fire and human service districts.

Does the committee draw electoral districts taking into account
future population growth?
No. The committee must draw election boundaries based on the population
count from the 2010 Census. Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau counts
every person living in this country, not just citizens. Fairfax County
has a population of 1,081,726 people, according to the 2010 Census count.

Are college students and prison inmates included in the population
count the committee uses?
Yes. The 2010 Census counted every person living in Fairfax County as of
April 1, 2010, including college student and prison inmates. The
committee draws its recommended electoral districts based on the 2010
Census numbers.